Lee fined 25 per cent of match fee for Code of Conduct breach

Australia's Brett Lee has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his country's second Test match against England.

Lee was found guilty of excessive appealing by ICC Match Referee Jeff Crowe in a hearing after play concluded in Adelaide on Sunday.

Lee was found to have breached 1:5 of the ICC Code which relates to the practice of celebrating a dismissal before the decision has been given.

The incident in question took place during the fourth over of the second day's play in the ongoing Adelaide Test on Saturday, when Lee believed he had Kevin Pietersen caught behind.

In explaining his decision, Mr Crowe said: "Brett is confused about this verdict in that he thought he saw the umpire gesture that it was out.

"The simple fact is that Brett did not stop and wait for the umpire's actual decision, out or not out, before starting his celebrations, something that has been stipulated over the past three years.

"This is not new territory and the judgment is consistent with other similar breaches," he added.

All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player's match fee. In the case of Level 1 breaches, the match referee's decision is final and a player does not have a right of appeal.

The charge was brought by umpires Rudi Koertzen, Steve Bucknor and Steve Davis.

Jeff Crowe reached his conclusion after a hearing attended by Lee, Australia Team Manager Steve Bernard, Coach John Buchanan, IT expert Richard McGuinness and the umpires.